Signature gathering machines



June 8, 9 5 RE. KLEINEBERG ETAL I SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINES 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 28, 1947 INVENTORS,

[WA-2559c;- [Aw/W525 June 28, 1955 P. E. KLEINEBERG ETAL 2,711,896

SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINES Original Filed June -28, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Tic E 253 INVENTORS, /Q 5 K4 EVA/555196 [42/V/5/PE June28, 1955 P. E. KLEINEBERG ETAL 2,711,896

SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINES Original Filed June 28, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet4 s v, ..l g 5 x E n 0 .2 N MM 5 p P m HZ m Q M A; Mr, M m m K J 1 YM aB X. M 0% SQ R. h T m n 1 .3 fhi rm I I I; m."

United States Patent SIGNATURE GATHERING MACHINES Paul E. Kleineberg,Easton, Pa., and Pierre Lariviere, Champlain, N. Y., assignors'to T. W.& C. B. Sheridan Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York,and The Sheridan Iron Works, Champlain, N. Y.,

a corporation of NewYork Original application June 28, 1947, Serial No.757,846, now Patent No. 2,621,039, dated December 9, 1952. Divided andthis application November 4, 1952, Serial No. 318,698

27 Claims. 01. 27056) This invention is an improved signature gatheringmachine, adapted for the extraction of signatures, which term includessingle sheets, from a succession of stacks with discharge to acontinuously advancing conveyor upon which the successive signaturesbecome grouped and travel along to the delivery for further operations,such as attaching or stapling each group, so as to constitute a book ormagazine, and in some cases applying covers thereto. This jointapplication is a division of a parent application filed June 28, 1947,Serial No. 757,846, now U. S. Patent No. 2,621,039, and is directed moreparticularly to the feature of detecting errors in the signatureprocession caused by absence of or defects in the signatures; mechanismbeing provided to this end and novelty being presented both in suchmechanism per se and in its cooperation with the general and otherfeatures of the total machine. The invention is of special utility forthe fiatwise type of gathering as contrasted with insert or saddlegathering wherein the invention meets certain diffiulties. Also theinvention is of most value when the extractor drum has two or more setsof grippers and an equal number of gaging segments. v

Such mechanisms, for detecting and correcting defects, as by ejectingthe erroneous signature groups, most commonly operate by gaging thethickness dimensions of the successive signatures, this means comprisingwhat is known as a caliper, or gaging mechanism, operated or tripped tobring about the desired ejection or other control. In a rotary or drumtype of mechanism and action to extract the signatures and transfer oradvance them for deposit on the conveyor, the prevailing caliperingaction has been by means of the rotary drum as one contact and anopposing shiftable contact or roller bearing upon theextracting drum orthe signature thereon; but in the long run this has provedunsatisfactory because not sufliciently reliable to meet practicaldemands.

A general object of the present invention is to afford a fiatwisegathering machine of the rotary type having top speed of operation andyet possessing highly efficient detection and correction of defectscoupled with long-lasting and reliable accuracy thereof. A particularobject is to provide a controlling gage or calipering means of structureand operation obviating the mounting of the pair of gage members withone of them formed upon or attached to the drum; which arrangement couldnot provide the necessary precision and minute accuracy due toinevitable wear of drum shaft and/ or bearings and consequent loosenesswith disturbance of the gaging contact relationship, so necessary in thehandling of paper sheets.

Further objects and advantages will be stated or appear in the followingdescription.

To condense description reference is here made to the parent case in away to show the place of the calipering mechanism in the totalcombination. The reference numbers herein correspond with those of theparent case, but only those are specifically recited herein which are ofvalue in describing this divisional case.

The parent case comprises, as drawings, Sheets 1 to 12' containing Figs.1 to 24; whereas in this case are only Sheets 1 to 4 (1, 6, 7 and 8 ofthe parent), and Figs. 1 to 9 (1, 2 and 11 to 17 of the parent). Thesignatures and groups when numbered are designated S while the severalparts of a single signature, when numbered, are designated S to S Thegeneral frame and fixed parts of the machine, considerably shown in Fig.1 and much shown in the parent sheets and figures not retained herein,are in general numbered in the number series 31'-to 46.

In preliminary outline the machine contains, other than the generalparts supra, a number of mechanical element-groups or mechanisms A to Harranged for cooperative action upon the signatures in the stacks andthose extracted and those advancing through the gaging place toward theconveyor, to manipulate them into a procession of flatly gathered groupstraveling onward toward delivery. These general elements bear numbers inthe group 31 to'46, and shafts and other general parts in the group 90to 99, for the details of which see the parent case.-

Mechanism A is the elevated hopper means in each of the sections of themachine, supporting the signatures preferably ilatwise; the detailsbeing shown in the parent case within the reference number group 49 to89. Mech-' anism B is the suction detacher means, of which a fulldescription is in the parent case, hearing references between 100 and130. Mechanism C+D includes the separating devices by which eachdetached signature is swung away into reach of the extracting means,with auxiliary devices C and D, all shown in the parent case and bearingnumbers from 135 to 187. Mechanism E comprises the extracting means, therotary drum being thus used for transferring the signatures from thehoppers to the conveyor; and these parts, with the gripping means, drumdrive and associated parts, appearing fully in the parent case withreference to numbers 189 to 262. Mechanism F is the traveling meansconveying the accumulating groups to delivery; shown in the parent casewith numbers 264 to 294. Mechanism G is a means for jogging and liningup the traveling groups, described in the able in each section upon eachsignature during its passage between hopper and conveyor, with caliperto gage the absence of a signature or a defect in the thickness thereof,is thereby adapted to afford any desired correction or control, such asthe stoppage of the machine, together with showing a signal to indicatethe location of the defect, or a rejection or sidetracking of the group.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, they comprise four sheets, thesebeing Sheets 1, 2, 3 and 4, correspond ing with Sheets 1, 6, 7 and 8 ofthe parent case. On these four sheets are Figs. 1 and 2 and 3 to 9,corresponding with Figs. 1 and 2 and 11 to 17' in the parent case. Thesefour sheets hereof,'carrying Figs. 1 to 9, show an illustrativeembodiment of the invention of this divisional case.

On Sheet 1, Fig. 1 is a general lefthand elevation, partly broken awayin vertical section through one of the drum shafts; while Fig. 2 is alefthand elevation of a detail of the Fig. 1 structure. I

On Sheet 2, Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the detector means includingthe calipering mechanism and certain thereof.

On Sheet 3, Fig. 5 is a partial top plan view of Fig. 6, which latter isa lefthand elevation of the detector mechanism, including the partsshown in Figs. 3 to 5 and certain additional parts; and Fig. 7 is a topplan view of a detail thereof.

On Sheet 4, Fig. 8 is a lefthand elevation of the drum, which, as inFig. l is partly broken away in section through one of the drum shafts,showing details of the drum structure; while Fig. 9 is a front elevationthereof partly broken away, and Fig. 9 is a similar partial view of adetail thereof.

After the separation and extraction of each signature by its leadingedge S it is transferred around and down for discharge to the conveyor,so that the conveyed signatures, and the groups thereof, are by thisinvention pushed advancingly by their trailing head ends S while theirback side edges travel or slide along upon the conveyor trough orraceway in contact with a gaging shoulder or wall; so that the backedges S and the head ends S become the gaging or aligning edges for theaccumulating signatures in each group, which may be jogged intoalignment in each conveyor section thus affording uniformity ofassembled condition of the successive groups emerging from the finaldelivery.

Terms of position or direction, such as front and back,

left and right, herein used for facility of description, are notintended as limitations. In Fig. l the righthand side of the figure isconsidered the front, whereat the attendant can best observe thesignature and operations; so that Fig. 1 is a lefthand view, partly insection. Likewise, the longitudinal conveyor is designated as travelingrightwise as seen from the front, wherefore the extraction direction isgenerally the opposite, or leftwise from the stack, although obviouslythe entire design might be reversed.

Taking Fig. 1 as the main drawing, this shows at least some of the partsof each of the component mechanisms A to H. Thus in addition to thesectional bedplate 31 and other fixed or frame parts, Fig. 1 shows atthe top the hopper or stack mechanism marked A, containing supplies ofsignatures S. A minor portion of the suction detaching mechanism seen inFig. l is marked B; its general principles of action being conventional.The separator means C, D is so marked in Fig. 1 as to its signature edgedepressing mechanism C and its stack lifting mechanism D. The extractingdrum is well shown in Fig. l, marked E; and this element appears inother figures, especially Figs. 3, 8 and 9. The conveyor mechanism ismarked F in Fig. 1, showing the trough with its rear and frontsupporting plates and the endless conveyor chain with itsgroup-thrusting pins. Likewise the groupjogging mechanism, marked G, isseen in Fig. 1, cooperatively adjacent to the conveying mechanism.Finally, the detecting or calipering mechanism, marked H, is representedin Fig. 1 by certain of the active parts thereof; and this is shown morecompletely and with details in Fig. 3 to 9 inclusive. The parts notfully shown in the figures thus described are more fully shown in theparent case.

Above the bedplate 31 are heavy frame pieces and subordinate fixedmembers, giving support to various parts and brackets on which aremounted the various mechanisms of themachine. In each gathering unit aretwo or more upright cross walls 32, with top supporting surfaces 42'.Other uprights 33 include frame legs, columns and the like. There arealso longitudinal frame members, acting as girders and supports, andextending between and beyond the cross walls; a main one of these ineach unit being a hollow longitudinal frame piece or casting 34 restingatop the cross walls, this by its top surface 34 giving support tovarious brackets etc. and interiorly carrying the bearings for theshafts of the extractor drums in each unit. To the rear of thehorizontal frame piece 34 are triangular extensions 35 serving asrockshaft bearings, while above 34 is an upward extension piece 36,centrally located to serve as an underlying support to other fixed andmovable parts.

Among the longitudinals at the rear is a fiat loading shelf 37, Fig. 1,whereon operatives may preliminarily store and arrange batches ofsignatures to be transferred to the hoppers A directly in front thereof.The shelf is supported by strips 38, while at the rear below the shelfis an enclosing panel 39. A series of brackets 40 is secured atop wall32 at the front, and these give support to a longitudinal continuousfront board 41, or working shelf, at which operative may effectcorrections when errors of operation have caused the stoppage of themachine.

The conveyor comprises usually a trough or raceway 43 together withintraveling chain with pins protruding upwardly at a midway point,comprising opposite fixed continuous plates, the front plate 43 beinginclined upwardly frontly while the rear plate 44 may be fiatwise, thechain running in the space or slot between them. The accumulatingsignatures, overlying the supporting plates 43, 44 have their back edgesrunning longitudinally along the trough back wall 45 as a gage, whichwall is preferably upright and carries a series of short angle pieces 46whose horizontal portions overlie the signature edges and act as guardspreventing displacement, the spaces between angle pieces accommodatingthe discharge of the signatures from the drum to the supporting plates43, 44 below. Longitudinally beyond the conveyor may be conventionalsupports and group advancing'means (not shown) conducting the groupprocession to a binding machine or other destination.

The hopper A is largely shown in the left view Fig. I. There is butlittle importance to the hopper details as related to the presentinvention. The signatures rest flatwise on the hopper floor and arepulled out leftwardly to travel part way around the drum and todischarge; but any fast-operating type will serve..

Coming to the main cam shaft 90, this is longitudinal and supplies thedriving force for the various mechanisms in the several sections orunits of the machine. It takes its bearings in the cross walls 32 and 33near the ends of the machine. This shaft may turn counterclockwise asseen from the left. Above the main shaft, and to the front is an axle93, preferably fixed and serving also as a frame rod. Well above shaftand axle 93, and rearward thereof in each unit, is a longitudinalrockshaft 95, and somewhat thereabove there is a second rockshaft 96;these rockshafts constituting parts of different trains of mechanisms.The upper rockshaft 96 takes its hearings in the triangular rearbrackets 35 constituting extensions of the heavy longitudinal framemember 34, while attached rear brackets 97 give bearing to rockshaft 95.The main shaft is power driven and preferably makes one rotation percycle, that is, two rotations per second if the output is one hundredand twenty signature groups per minute.

The suction detaching means B here needs no description, being fullydescribed in the parent case as to structure, operation and function.

Coming to the separator mechanism this, as already explained, comprisestwo separate but closely associated mechanisms, C the signature edgedepresser means and D the stack lifting means. The details andoperations of these separator elements need no explanation at thispoint. They place each signature in position to he gripped and extractedby the drum E.

The extractor mechanism E comprises, cooperative with the caliper meansto be described, a generally conventional drum of the open or skeletontype, with grippers adapted to grip each lowest signature in the hopperfor extraction, transfer and discharge to the conveyor. The drum isbuilt of front and back disks 189 and 190 connected by an interruptedcross web 191, and it rotates about a transverse axis incounterclockwise direction, looking from the-front, so that theextraction is generally leftwise, opposite to the right'wi'se travel ofthe conveyor below. The drum uses the principle of multiple grippersets, two such sets being mounted oppositely on the drum periphery,which therefore in its drive is geared down to rotate at half the speedof the main shaft. The drum is best shown in Figs 1, 8 and 9, rotated bysuitable drive means. Surrounding the drum shaft, but freely rotatableby reason of a ball bearing 351, is shown a member 350 of the caliperingmechanism, adjacently to the rear of the drum, to be further described.

The illustrated open drum structure, for each section of the machinecomprises the aforesaid circular side disks 189 and 190 at the front andrear sides, with the cross web 191 interconnecting them about midwaybetween the drum periphery and center. Interiorly arranged, as aseparate casting, is a circular or hub member having an outstandingflange 192 which is attached by bolts 193 to the inner side of the reardrum disk 190; and said circular casting has also a cylindrical flange194 extending rearwardly where it is firmly connected by a key 195 tothe rearwardly extending drum shaft 196.

The bearing for the rotary shaft 196 comprises a cylindrical cast pieceor sleeve 198, surrounding the shaft, with one or more bushings 199interposed. The bearing sleeve is formed with an outstanding flange 200which is bolted against the rear side of the hollow longitudinal framecasting 34. By way of spacing the drum correctly frontwards of thehollow frame piece 34 there are shown certain spacing members betweenthe frame piece and drum. One of these comprises a hub 202 immediatelysurrounding the bearing sleeve 198 in front of the frame piece, thisconveniently being the hub of a stationary but adjustable gripperoperating cam or disk 203 formed with a cam groove 204 at its front sidecooperative with the gripper connections yet to be described. Otherspacing elements are indicated in Figs. 1 and 8 substantially fillingthe space between the drum and the frame casting 34.

For adjusting the fixed position of the gripper cam 203, thereby to giveaccurate timing of the gripper closing actions, there is shown in. Fig.9 a radial extension 205, which is concentrically elongated and formedwith a slot 206, within which slot are located opposite adjusting screws207 bearing upon a central stud 208 outstanding from the frame wall 34.By loosening one of the screws 207 and taking up the other, the angularposition of the cam member 203 may be set as desired, and the adjustmentfixed by means of lock nuts 209 near the outer ends of the adjustingscrews.

The driving of the several drum shafts in unison may be in various knownways, such as by the use of bevel gears, which have provenunsatisfactory, and the following disclosure is found to improve theaccuracy and efficiency of drive. This mechanism is shown in the parentcase and partly herein. Each drum shaft extends through the longitudinalcasting 34, with its ends projecting rearwardly therebeyond. The plandisclosed is a particular use of sprocket gearing; each pair of the twopairs of drum shafts in each unit being thus geared together, thisarrangement being supplemented by power drive through a third sprocketgear train operating upon one of the two drum shafts of each of saidpairs. See parent case for details. A common drive is preferred for thetwo pairs of sprocket wheels in each section.

Referring further to the drum and its two gripper sets, Figs. 1, 8 and9, each gripper comprises its swingable jaw 232 cooperating with a fixedabutment 236, the jaw being shown open at the upper side of Fig. 9 andclosed at the lower side. Means for adjusting the pressure of eachgripper jaw when closed against the abutment is desirable but notnecessary to describe. The abutment 236 also is adjustable by swingingabout a pivot 237. The abutment is held swung outwardly against its stopstud 238 by means of a strong compression spring 239 extending betweenthe swingable end of the abutment and one of the portions of the crossweb 191 of the drum. Further details are explained in the parent. Thegripper jaw 232 and its back finger 233, these are mounted upon agripper spindle 242, which extends through both disks 189 and 190 of thedrum, in which it takes its bearing. Operating connections are providedfor swinging the gripper jaw. Each gripper in each cycle has to be swungthrough an angle of the order of the upper gripper being shown inreadiness to swing over to the abutment 236 to grip the leading edge ofthe lowermost signature, as the gripper device passes the grippingpoint. The gripper swing has to be a quick action, bringing the jawagainst the outer surface of the abutment while the signature edge S isbetween them. These gripper movements, by which the jaws are closed atone point of time and are thereafter opened for the release anddischarge of the signature, are herein brought about by means of a camlever 246 and connections operated therefrom, along with various detailsnot herein described.

The start of each retraction of the jaws of each gripper pair effectsthe immediate release of the signature leading edge, and this is timedto bring about the discharge of each signature to the proper conveyorsection beneath. In order to insure the continuance of the travel of thesignatures it is desirable to employ idler rollers 252 pressedresiliently against each signature somewhat short of the dischargepoint, thus to hold it frictionally against the drum disks, compellingthe signatures to continue the advance with the rotation of the drum. Anefiicient arrangement for this purpose is shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Eachof the pair of rollers 252 is mounted at the low end of a swingable arm253, and these arms are fulcrurned at the ends of a cross rod 254, whichalso gives support to a pair of coil springs 255, one for each idlerroller, to press the arms and rollers toward the drum as described.These parts are shown mounted upon a fixed depending bracket arm 256which, at its upper end, has a hub 257 clamped upon a fixed transversestud 258 projecting frontwardly from a socket or collar 259 bolted tothe front side of the longitudinal frame casting 34. A desirable featureassociated therewith consists of a pair or set of guide strips 261,mounted upon any convenient fixed part, such as the stud 258, thesestrips being spaced slightly outwardly from the drum, opposite to therespective drum disks 189 and 190; this expedient insuring that thetraveling signatures will not become loose or depart materially from thesurface of the drum, in which the idler rollers 252 cooperate. Thepreceding description of signature and gripper cooperation is of valuein view of the close proximity thereof and their cooperation with thecalipering mechanism and operation to be described.

The next mechanism of the machine is the signature conveyor means F,including an endless traveling chain with group pushers, shown in Fig. 1only and in the parent case. As the calipering of each signature hasbeen completed before the discharge from the drum to the conveyor, nodetail description appears necessary of the conveyor and its travel.Similar remarks apply to the jogger mechanism G, comprising joggerchains cooperating with the conveyor chains, shown in the parent case.The train of mechanism thus described for the conveyor chain delivers,from the main shaft, the desired steady travel of the conveyor chain ata speed such that each chain section, in front of each pusher pin, willtravel the distance between two hoppers or gathering sections in theperiod of a single cycle of gathering action.

Coming next to the detector mechanism H, both perse and in cooperationwith the detacher B, the separator C. D, the extractor E and theconveyor F, and each of these; this comprises essentially a caliper orgaging means for feeling and determining the thickness of each signaturewhich is handled, or the absence of signature; this detecting meansoperating between the concentric peripheral surface of a wheel, segmentor sector turning in cooperation with and adjacently to a drum and to anopposed roller contact; such drum being preferably the rotary extractingmember E, and the effect of the gaging action being transmitted to aresponsive means such as a trip device which, when operated or tripped,acts to throw a switch or relay to elfect a desired control as thestoppage of the machine and to operate a signal showing the location ofthe inaccuracy in a signature or group.

The primary or characterizing element of this feeler mechanism may beconsidered as the contact wheel or sector (or pair of sectors) 356located adjacently alongside of or coaxially with the rear disk 190 ofthe extractor drum, shown in Figs. 1 and 8 and referred to in previouslydescribing the drum, the sector being an element apart from the drumitself. This special contact wheel 350, or the concentric sectors whichcompose it, and their common hub, were described as freely rotatable bythe provision of a ball bearing 3S1 surrounding the drum shaft bearingpiece 193 and held in position as one of the spacing elements betweenthe drum rear disk 1% and the frame casting 34. For the substantiallycomplete avoidance of vibration and wear the gaging wheel 350 is thusmounted to rotate independently of the drum; for if the gaging wheelwere attached to the drum it would partake of all vibrations and otherinaccuracies produced by unbalance or by looseness and wear of themountings of the drum. At the same time the gaging wheel should rotatesubstantially with the drum. or at the same mean or average pace, sothat each of its peripheral gaging surfaces will travel around incoordination with the drum and with the signature under extraction, forthe gaging of such signature. The rotation of the separate segment wheel35! therefore is effected from the drum or its shaft, by connectingmeans or links, as by means of a floating short interconnecting pin 352,having an engagement with both the drum and the double segment, whichengagement is more or less loose rather than rigid and yet is adequateas a driving means operated by or with the drum to turn the gage Wheel,this loose fitting of the parts being indicated in Figs. 3 and 8, thepin operating in a radially elongated slot 352'.

Passing to Figs. 3 to 7, the calipering double segment or wheel 350 isshown as formed with a hub 353 between which and the bearing piece 193is the ball bearing 351. At its periphery each of the segments has awidened rim 354 of substantial angular extent and this rim may beconsidered as comprising a tapered extent 355 of approach or outwardslant from the point marked X to the point marked Y on Fig. 3, thisbeing smoothly followed by a concentric gaging surface 356 running fromthe point Y to the point Z, this latter surface being ground to highconcentric accurac comprising as it does one of the opposed gaging orcontact members 350 and 360 of the caliper which must detect thepresence or absence of minute thicknesses such as those of paper. Theeccentric surface rise 355, merging into the gaging continuation 3S6,prevents shock as each signature enters between the opposed members. Thegaging point 358 is marked with a star, being the point of tangentialcontact between the segment, or the signature thereon and, outwardlythereof, the gaging roller 360, comprising the other contact element ofthe gage.

The gaging roller 36%) is preferably slightly crowned or convexed, asindicated in Figs. 3 and 6, thus to avoid a too extensive gagingcontact, while at the same time avoiding a line contact between thecrowned surface of the outer gage member 366 and the cylindrical surfaceof the inner member 350. The gage roller 360 can turn freely on acentral fulcrum or pin 361, and this hearing pin extends not onlythrough the roller but through front and rear short arms 362 and 363,which embrace the roller, and which extend at a downward slant from afixed pivot pin 364 which in turn extends between a short front dropbracket 36S and a similar but longer rear bracket 366, both of which arestationary during operation although being movable in unison foradjustment purposes as will be explained. Extending up- 8 wardly fromthe rear end of the fulcrum pin 361 of the roller, and attached rigidlythereto is a long upright arm or lever 368, this preferably being anextension of the rear short arm 363, the upper end of the long verticalarm 368 being arranged to take part in the tripping action to bedescribed. See Fig. 4.

Thus great multiplication of gaging effect is afforded. The fixed axisof pin 364, the axis of pin 361 swingable by the signature, and the topof tall lever arm 368, form a triangle which swings amply at its uppercorner so as to operate the trip with but a small difference insignature thickness. The gage roller, ground for high accuracy, isrotated by the travel of the signature against it. The ratio of thelength of lever 368 above pivot 364 to the distance the fulcrum 361 liesbelow 364 may be 16 to 1, representing the multiplication.

Departing from the gaging action, an auxiliary expedient to minimizeinaccuray consists in a light scraper 370 that is mounted to bear uponthe periphery of the gaging roller 360 thereby to maintain clean theroller surface against the accumulation of lint or other foreign matter.The scraper is shown as a piece of thin strip material, and it issupported by strips or bent portions 37.1 extending from the scraper toa cylindrical support 372 pivoted by means of a cross-pin 373 upon apair of arms 374 and 375, front and rear, which are preferablycontinuations, at an upward leftward slant, of the short arms 362 and363 between which the fulcrum pin 361 of the gage roller is mounted. Thelight pressure of the scraper upon the rim of the roller may bemaintained by the gravity of its own weight or by an added spring.

Reverting to the mountings of the gage roller 360, and the longupstanding trip lever 368, which latter may be considered as the primaryor lower member of the trip device cooperating with the secondary orupper member to be described, the depending bracket arms 365 and 366have been described as supporting the pivot or axle 364 about which theparts 363 and 368 swing by the action of a signature on the segment 350.The respective drop brackets are formed with opposite bosses 367 inwhich the horizontal axle 364 takes its bearing. The two drop brackets365 and 366 are rigidly interconnected as a unit, which unit isstationary during operation, but may be tilted or adjustably swung topredetermine the position of the parts for operation on any giventhickness of signature. Thus, as seen in Figs. 3 and 6, and separatelyin the top view of Fig. 7, a tiltable yoke 377 is provided, from acentral part of which the long rear bracket arm 366 depends; and theyoke at its front end is provided with a closing bridge or bar 378,bolt-attached to the yoke, and from which the short front bracket arm365 depends. The two bracket arms are integral or rigid with the yokemember and bridge arm respectively so that, when tilted, these partsswing as a unit for adjustment purposes. The yoke has a hub 379 in thenature of a sleeve through which and through a corresponding part of thebridge bar extends a fixed stud 380 having a collar 381 at its front endto confine the yoke and having a nut 382 applied to the reduced rear endof the stud to mount it rigidly upon a portion of the frame casting 34.

The importance of the tilting adjustment of the stationary bracket-pair365, 366, will be understood by considering that the signatures whichare supplied to I each of the series of hoppers and gathering sectionsmay vary widely in thickness, for example, from a single sheet up to 32or more thicknesses; whereas any change of thickness tends to dislocatethe cooperating members of the trip device. By the tilting adjustment ofthe drop bracket the entire gaging system, from the roller 360 to thetall trip lever 368, is bodily shiftable from and toward the gagingsegment 350 about a fixed axis, being the axis of the stationary stud380 upon which the drop bracket is tiltably mounted. Taking the case ofa gathering section wherein, on a new job, a relatively thin signatureis to be replaced by a relatively thick one, this change itself wouldtend to throw the trip lever 368 rightwardly from its desired central orneutral position. If now the depending bracket be adjustably shiftedslightly toward the left in Fig. 3, this permits the gage roller 360 toshift relatively to the right, causing the short supporting arms 362-363to swing upwardly or counterclockwise about the pivot pin 364 on thedrop bracket, thus adjustably shifting the top end of the trip lever 368toward the left, permittirv it to be brought back into its neutralposition, whereat there is no tripping action, with high exactitude.

The illustrated means for thus adjustably tilting the stationary dropbracket 365-366 will now be described. The long or rear drop bracket arm366 is extended downwardly far beyond the short opposite arm 365, andthe long arm at its lower end is formed into a head 384 which is boredand threaded to receive an adjusting screw 385. The adjusting screwprotrudes rightwardly from the bracket head 384 and its extremity comesinto adjustable contact with a permanently fixed abutment 386. Insteadof a positive connection between the adjusting screw and the abutment,their constant contact is secured by means of a strong spring 387extending from a pin provided at the rear of the bracket head 384- to apin extending frontwardly from the triangular fixed bracket 259previously mentioned, which bracket has a frontwardly extending stud 258taking part in other than the calipering operations. The fixed abutmentmember 386 is shown as a downwardly projecting part whose upper end isformed with a collar 38% made fast, as by a set screw, with the fixedstud 253. The abutment piece 386 may be considered as permanently fixedwith its lower left surface in position for contact by the end of theadjusting screw 385, while the turning of said screw causes changes inthe tilted position of the long bracket arm 366, with micrometerfineness of adjustment. The adjusting screw has a thumb piece 389 foroperating it, thereby to adjust the gaging mechanism for the signaturebeing handled, while a locking unt 390 is also engaged on the adjustingscrew, serving to fix the adjustment thereof by turning the nut 390against the bracket head 384 through which the screw extends. Inpractice, to set any one of the detecting mechanisms to operate on thesignature in the corresponding section, a specimen of the actualsignature will be placed between the gaging surface 356 of the segment350, allowed to remain stationary for the purpose, and the other gagingmember or roller 360. If the top end of the trip lever 368 is in anactive position rather than a neutral position then an adjustment mustbe made to restore it to neutral position so that, with correctsignatures, no tripping will occur. The locking nut 390 is firstretracted, and thereupon the adjusting screw 385 is turned by its thumbpiece, so as to tilt or to change the tilt of the drop brackets uponwhich the primary trip lever and associated parts are mounted; thisoperation causing an adjusting swing of the primary trip lever, by whichit is readily restored to neutral position, whereupon it is onlynecessary to tighten the lock nut 390, and the gatherer sec- 'tion is inreadiness for operation.

Referring to the right and left swinging movements of the tall triplever 368, it is desirable to provide a limit plate 393 somewhat to theleft near the upper end of the lever. This is preferably spaced away sothat in actual operation the leftward swing of the lever will not reachthe plate, the stopping of the swing being effected by the Resilientmeans is dei0 limit plate 393. The pull of this spring normally causesthe gage roller to press against the segment.

The tripping device as a whole comprises at least one trip piece or lug397 upon the swingable tall lever 368, and at least one complementary orupper trip piece upon a movable trip head above, one or the other of thetrip members consisting of two trip pieces, spaced apart to produce agap or gateway between them, while the other trip piece normally passesinto and out of said gap, by reason of the regular reciprocation of oneor the other of the members, so that normally no cooperative trippingaction occurs, whereas when the primary trip member becomes offset by anincorrect or missing signature, the entrance of one trip member into thegap or gateway of the other will be missed, and the mechanical actionwill occur which can be utilized to bring about the desired control.Specifically there is herein shown a single primary trip piece 397 atthe top of the trip lever 368, this member being a triangular prismaticform, with a fiat side upwardly, as shown, secured to the lever by abolt 398, while thereabove is provided a trip member consisting of aspaced apart pair of secondary trip pieces 400, each depending from apivot 401 and each having its lower end pointed or forked so as to giveeffective mechanical coaction with the triangular primary trip piecebelow, when the latter has been offset as by an incorrect signature,thus to bring about the tripping action and the desired control.

'The upper or secondary trip member, comprising the left and rightpivoted trip pieces 400, comprises also a trip head or block 402, onwhich the pieces are mounted, and which is reciprocable downwardly andupwardly with the front end of an oscillating carrier or lever arm 403,to be more fully described. The head 402 carries also at its frontcenter a projecting lug or abutment 405, against the opposite sides ofwhich a pair of stop screws 406 contact, one screw being fitted uponeach of the trip pieces 400; so that the trip member may be initiallyset correctly to perform its function. When the trip pieces have been soadjusted, their set screws may be so held by lock nuts 407. To hold thetrip pieces toward each other, with the predetermined gap between, across spring 408 may be used, pulling upon both pieces, and having theadvantage that the pieces may yield outwardly when necessary to avoidbreakage. The adjusting screw stops 406 may be initially set to affordan ample gap, with good clearance for the entry of the primary tripmember, when relatively thick signatures are to be gaged; whereas forthin signatures the clearance must be smaller for reliable detection oferrors; and the described arrangement provides these adjustments in apractical way.

Before completing the description of the control connections it isconvenient first to describe the switch 410 through which the caliperingmeans effects the controls including the machine stoppage. The switchmay be of conventional kind with first and second buttons or pins 411above and 412 below and interior circuit makers and breakers,unnecessary to show, being on known principles. A delicately responsiveboxed snap switch serves well, such as a marketed one known asMicro-Switch No. BK- RSX, containing a main circuit or relay operated bya main button 411 to control stoppage, and an auxiliary signal resettingcircuit operated by a button 412.

The main circuits of all the switches normally remain made or. closed,and they are in series, so that an error in any section breaks or opensthe circuit which, as by relay, causes the shut-off of driving power,accompanied by a quick braking and stoppage. When in any section theupper button is depressed, and in the manner to be described, the wholemachine is thus stopped. The stoppingbutton is preferably self restoringbut naturally is held depressed by the prompt stoppage, until the powerdrive is resumed at will, as by a shunt circuit manually controlled.

The local or signal circuit in each section is normally open, no lampbeing operated until the main button is pressed, which not only opensthe power circuit but closes the local circuit and thus lights the lamp;the interior contacts that give this action being of the kind whichremain in contact, keeping the signal circuit closed until, aftercorrection, it is restored to open condition by the pressing of thelower button 412, provided for that purpose. Conveniently the resettingmeans may here be described. Below the reset button 412 is shown a resetlever 414, Figs. 5 and 6, this swinging up about a pivot 415, on abracket 416. A front lcver extension 417 carries a riser or strip 418which in turn is joined to a long handle 419 extended frontwardly intoeasy access. The parts 414 to 419 form a rigid entity, being disposed asdescribed to avoid conflict with other parts. When at any section thehandle is depressed the reset button 412 is pressed to reopen the lampcircuit.

Resuming the description of the means by which the tripping devicecontrols or operates the switch 410 for stopping and signaling purposes,the plan is that when the reciprocating trip head 402, on itsoscillating lever arm 403, is blocked by any abnormal positioning of theprimary and secondary trip members, this condition shall result in thepushing or depressing of the switch main or top button 411. Variousmechanical devices may provide such result, an effective one being acombination of two rocklevers or Walking beams as shown. The mainrocking beam, Figs. 5 and 6, has a rear r'ockarm or lever 421 and afront arm 422 interconnected by their hub 423 rocking on a fixed stud424, constituting a fulcrum for the walking lever or beam 421, 422.

To rock the main beam lever 421, 422 its rear arm at its free end has apivot 425 connecting it to a long link 426, see also Figs. 1 and 2,which is bent clear of'various other parts; and the lower end of thelink is pivoted to the end of a short rockarm 427, whose clamp-hub 428is fast on the rockshaft 95, already described, which is cyclicallyrocked from the groove 122 of the main shaft cam 120 through the trainof parts 124 to 130. By these parts the rocklever and connections to theupper trip member are given one downward and one upward movement percycle.

The main walking beam lever 421., 422, near its fulcrum 424, has anattachment or extension 429, extending substantially upward and thenceformed or bent leftward, toward the observer in Figs. 5 and 6, toconstitute an upper stop, reaching well above the upper button 411 ofthe switch therebelow.

The secondary walking beam or rocklever 403, 432 is shown fulcrumeddirectly on the first or primary one. Its rear arm 432 may be in onecasting with its front arm 403, which latter carries the trip head 402.This second rocklever normally has no motion upon the first rocklever,merely partaking of its swing, but abnormally it may swing thereon, forwhich its hub 433 is fulcrumed on a cross stud 434 at the front end ofthe front arm of the first rocklever. When, in the downward swing orphase of the front arm 422 and carried lever 4113, 432, the front end ortrip head of the latter becomes blocked due to a signature error, thecarried lever becomes converted from an idle to an active lever, itsfront end coming to a stop, its middle and hub being forced down by thedownswing of arm 422, and its rear arm 432 being forced down forsubstantially twice the extent of the descent of the hub.

This downswing of the free rear end of arm 432, near the fulcrum 424 ofthe main rocklever, is herein utiliiedto press down the main button 411of the switch, directly therebelow. The descent of arm 432 acts througha contact screw 435 thereon, which strikes directly upon the button,depressing it to cause prompt stoppage, with "the parts holding theirstopped position. By adjustment the screw 435 can readily be made todeliver exactly to the button the thrust necessary for its operationwhen the trip action calls for stoppage. The rear end of arm 432 alsocarries an adjustable upstanding contact pin or screw, below and adaptednormally to bear upwardly against,

the flat extension stop 430 on the first rocklever, as a means ofdetermining the normal relation between the two rocklevers. The samescrew 435 may serve both purposes, the upper adjustment being throughthe fiat upper stop 430. The arm 432 at a midpoint is formed with ahollow boss 437 carrying a coil spring 438, as a resilient means forelevating the arm to normal position, with the contact screw 435contacting the top extension 430; the spring bearing downwardly upon anyconvenient movable or fixed part, such as the top side of the switch box410.

Preferred cycle of timed operations The actions of the componentmechanisms that are performed and coordinated through camsor equivalenttiming means may be outlined by the following illustrative example,representing a single cycle, caused by one revolution of the main carnshaft and outlining the complete manipulation, in each section of themachine, of each one of'the successive signatures. The hopper (A) is apassive element; while the conveyor and jogger chains (F and G), beingof continuous operation, do not enter into the cycle, excepting that inthe timing of the other mechanisms the cycle is coordinated with thespeed of the conveyor, each discharge of a signature in each machinesection being into the section or receiving space of the conveyor infront of one of its pusher pins. The timing of the other mechanisms isnext set forth, approximately and relatively, as to the manipulation ofeach signature; and thus are disclosed the rules to be followed for thedesigning of the respective cams and other timing parts, avoiding theneed of describing the physical contours of the several cams.

v First will be recited the positions of the mechanisms at the point oftime when the actions begin on each lowermost signature 5 in the hopper(A), and this starting condition is conveniently considered as the zeroposition of the machine; subsequent positions being describable by theapproximate number of degrees (0 to 360) beyond such zero. In thesuction detacher (B), the sucker is initially high, contacting theunderside of the triangular corner 3 which is part of the leading edge Sof the bottom (first) signature. At the same time the suction may beconsidered as already on, or applied, to grasp the signature corner; andsince the principles of suction applying and releasing are conventionaland well. known, the timed valve means for turning on and 011 thepneumatic suction, are wholly omitted from the drawings, examplesthereof being illustrated in various prior patents; the timing howeverto be as hereinbelow stated. The separator means, comprising (C) thesignature depressor and (D) the stack lifter mechanisms, initiallystands bodily retracted or outward; the depresser having its blade inits normal or raised position while the lifter has its adjacent blade inits normal or lowered position, with the two blades at approximately thesame level, ready to be shifted inwardly. The constantly rotatingextractor or drum (E) has its gripper open, but ready to close and gripthe signature leading edge; and, the drum being shown of double size andhalf angular speed, with two opposite gripper sets, the latter taketurns on the successive signatures, each thereof being inactive duringthe action of the other. thus providing a desirably longer traveldistance for the signatures, without loss of production.

Coming to the detector means (H), the upper or vertically reciprocatingtrip member or forked finger pair (400) is initially in its raisedposition, awaiting the action of the caliper upon the other orhorizontally adjustable trip member (397); while the correspondingcalipering member or segment (35%), revolving adjacent to the drum, isapproaching its gaging position opposite to the other gaging member orfollower roller (36).

Such being the starting positions, the sequence of actions on eachsignature, the angular timing being stated in parentheses, may besubstantially as follows: The sucker swings down (050) and with it thesignature corner S 13 opening a space or entrance gap thereabove. Theseparator swings inward bodily 10-70) entering the gap above thedetached corner and moving beyond the corner well along the leading edgeS The depresser lowers (IO-70), to depress the leading edge against thedrum periphery in time to be gripped. At the same time the lifter rises1070), with a pause (3040), thrusting upwardly against the stack to easethe frictional pressure on the signature below. The pneumatic suction isnow cut off (2040); releasing the downswung signature, the suckerremaining lowered. The drum gripper jaw al'ter swinging nearly to itsabutment now contacts and grips the signature leading edge (80-100");thus, by reason of the drurns rotation, starting the extraction of theseparated signature. During the following long dwell through which therecited mechanisms, except the extractor, remain idle, the detectoractions are performed, as will be later described. In the separatingmechanism the depresser rises while the lifter lowers, each toits normalelevation, while the combined separator swings bodily outward to initialposition (270-340"); thus clearing the way for the next rise of thesucker while restoring the depresser and lifter for separation of thenext signature. The signature having by this time been fully extracted,the sucker now swings up again (300340) to act upon the next signature;the suction being turned on again (320-340") for the sucker to take holdof the next signature for repetition of the cycle. Finally, the gripperstarts its opening movement (350360); thus at once releasing thesignature accurately for its advancing discharge on and beyond the drumto the corresponding traveling section ofthe conveyor, and the drumgripper thus becoming ready for a new operation, upon the next or secondsignature following.

Reverting to the detector operations, their timing is not critical, butmay be indicated as follows, with refer ence to each one of the oppositerevoluble gaging members or segments 360. The angular positioning ofeach of the two sectors or gaging segments relatively to the drum mustbe well behind the gripping point of the signature, as indicated in Fig.3, wherein the segment has just reached the commencement of its fullgaging position (at the star 358), with a concentric continuation of itsgaging periphery Well beyond this point, but rather than continuing thegaging rim 354 clear around the periphery, preferably terminating it atsome distance beyond the gaging position while leaving ample peripheryfor the performance of each calipering action. These matters appear onFig. 3 in the fact that the signature leading edge has been carried onthe drum well beyond the gaging place, the trailing portion of thesignature extending along the segment periphery and substantiallytherebeyond. It is while the other or opposite caliper member, contactor roller 360 is traveling relatively along the concentric periphery ofthe segment, from the gaging I commencement point 358 shown in Fig. .3to the tail end of the segment surface,-whereat preferably the rollerruns relatively oif the segment, that the tripping devices come intoaction. According to the presence or absenceof the signature on the drumand gaging segment, or the presence of an erroneous or defectivesignature, the gaging wheel or roller 36% takes minutely differentpositions, these gaging movements of the contact wheel 360 beingmultiplied, by the long upright trip arm 368, to give the describedhorizontal shiftings of the lower trip member upper trip member takesplace while the traveling signature lies between the gaging periphery ofthe calipering segment and the opposed gaging roller. For example, thetripping action may occur at a time slightly later than the conditionsseen in Fig. 3, namely, when the revolving segment has traveled a littlefurther so that the wheel will stand somewhere near the middle of thearcuate length of the concentric portion of the segment periphery. Theascending return of the upper trip member may be timed to occur at anyconvenient point of time after its descent, but preferably well beforethe other revoluble segment arrive at full gaging position, with thenext succeeding signature in place. After any stoppage all actionscease, to resume only after the defect has been cured and th power driveresumed.

On account of differences in terminology the following paraphrasedstatement of the invention may clarify certain of the claims appendedbelow. The invention in certain aspects may be considered as a signaturegathering machine having for each machine section a signature extractingand forwarding mechanism, whichincludes a rotatably driven gripping drumE having its drum shaft 196 turning in a drum bearing 1% whereby toforward each successive signature upon and from the drum toward a pointof discharge upon a traveling conveyor F; and in combination therewith,a first gaging member or rotor 350 rotatable interiorly of the signaturepath and mounted with a separate rotor shaft 1% turning in a separaterotor bearing 351, the rotor being in a removed or axially offsetlocation thereby relatively to clear the drum; a second ortrip-operating gaging member or roller 360 operable in exterioropposition to the first member, and the two members being mutuallycooperative to gage each signature advancing between them; the secondmember 360 being responsively yieldable bodily from and toward the axisof rotation of the first member 350 as effected by variations in thesignature thicknesses to be gaged; the first gaging member 350 and itsshaft 198 and bearing 351 being operatively coaxial with those of thedrum but being mounted operatively separate from the mountings or" thedrum whereby any irregularities of drum action are segregated from thefirst gaging member and its mountings, thereby to assure precision inthe gaging of signatures.

There has thus been described a signature fiat gathering machineconstituting an illustrative example of the principles of the presentinvention; and since many matters of combination, operation, arrangementand structure may be variously modified without departing from suchprinciples it is not intended to limit the invention to such mattersexcept to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a signature fiatwise gathering machine having a longitudinalseries of hoppers for stacks of signatures disposed flatwise with theirback side edges longitudinal and their transverse leading end edgesunderneathly exposed at the exit end of the hopper in each section ofthe machine, a continuously advancing longitudinal conveyor chain with aspaced series of pushers for the accumulating groups, and an extractoror drum below each hopper continuously rotating about a transverse axiswith gripper means thereon for gripping each lowermost signature of thestack and drawing it out and transferring it down and around foradvancing discharge to the conveyor traveling therebeneath, to be pushedalong by its trailing end edge; the combination therewith of a means fordetectin errors in or absence of signatures in each section, comprisinga gaging caliper wheel or segment separate from but rotating in timewith the drum, an exterior gaging contact or roller opposed to saidsegment to gage the signature being transferred between them, a normallyinoperative trip device, connections from the gaging roller to the tripdevice to cause its operation with abnormal condition, and control 15means operated by the trip device to cause a desired control such asstoppage of machine, and timed means for coordinately actuating theconveyor, extractor and detecting means.

2. A signature gathering machine as in claim 1 and wherein the gagingwheel is rotated by a tight connection from the drum and there isconnection which is loose relatively to the wheel bearing separate fromthat of the drum.

3. A signature gathering machine as in claim 1 and wherein is amultiplying leverage from the roller to the primary trip member,comprising a lever fulcrumed on a bracket, the roller being on a shortarm of the lever and taking its position according to the signaturethickness to swing the leverage and operate the trip means accordingly.

4. A signature gathering machine as in claim 3, said bracket beingadjustable swingably toward and from the gage Wheel whereby the leveragemay be shifted to set the trip at neutral.

5. A signature gathering machine as in claim 1, and wherein thesecondary trip member has a rocklever carrying it and means to rock saidlever down and up to reciprocate said trip member, whereby when thesignature is abnormal the rocklever is blocked, a relay or switch, and aconnection whereby the blocking of the rocklever operates the relay orswitch.

6. A signature gathering machine as in claim 5 and wherein is a mainrocklever constantly oscillated by cam control, the trip rocklever beingmounted on the main rocklever and thereby operated to reciprocate thesecondary trip.

7. A gathering machine as in claim 6 and wherein the blocking of thetrip carrying rocklever arm causes said rocklever to rock on the mainrocklever, whereby the other arm of the trip rocklever receives amultiplied motion for effecting a desired control.

8. A gathering machine as in claim 7 and wherein the control is througha snap switch with protruding button and the rocking of the triprocklever presses such button to cause stoppage of machine throughcontrolled circuits.

9. A gathering machine as in claim 8 and wherein the switch when throwncloses also a local circuit to light a lamp or operate a signal, toremain operated until reset at will, and means including a second switchbutton to restore conditions and reset the signal.

10. In a signature gathering machine of the sectional kind having alongitudinal series of hoppers adapted to hold stacks of signatures, anda longitudinally advancing conveyor adapted to receive successive onesof such signatures and accumulate them into successive groups, togetherwith an extracting and transferring mechanism in each section comprisinga rotary drum and an extractor means adapted to grip each signature andpull it transversely from the hopper for transfer thence upon the drumand around toward a point of advancing discharge to the travelingconveyor; the combination therewith of a calipering means adapted fordetecting errors of signature thickness, comprising an interior gagingcaliper member, segment or wheel which in mountings and action isindependent of and separate from but rotatable in time with the drum asthe signature travels over the drum and the interior caliper memher; anda shiftable exterior caliper member or gaging roller opposed to andpressed toward said interior member with the path of the travelingsignature between them, whereby the calipering means in each gagingaction is responsive to the distance between said gaging membersindependent of the rotary drum; and tripping means operable from theexterior gaging roller or member to cause tripping action with abnormalsignature thickness thereby to cause a desired control action of themachine.

11. In or for a signature gathering machine of the a sectional kindhaving means to present signatures to be extracted and transferredtransversely to a longitudinally advancing conveyor, together with arotary mechanism in each section comprising a drum with an extractormeans adapted to pull out each signature for transfer upon the drum andaround toward the traveling conveyor; a calipering means for detectingsignature errors, comprising a first caliper member or segment mountedand acting independently of the drum as the signature travels over thedrum and said first caliper member; and a second caliper member orroller opposed to and pressed toward said first member, with thesignature traveling between them, whereby the calipering means in eachgaging action is accurately responsive to the spacing of said calipermembers independent of the rotary drum; there being a tripping meansoperable from the second caliper member to cause a tripping action withabnormal signature thickness.

12. A signature gathering machine having hopper means to supplysignatures to be extracted and transferred to an advancing conveyor, anda rotary drum with an extractor means adapted to pull out each signaturefor transfer upon the drum and thence around toward the travelingconveyor; and in combination therewith a calipering means for detectingsignature imperfections. comprising a first gaging member or segmentmounted and acting coaxially but independently of the drum as thesignature travels over both the drum and said first gaging member, sothat irregularities in drum surface or operation are not communicated tothe first member; and a second gaging member or roller opposed to andpressed toward said first member, with the signature advancing betweenthem, whereby the calipering means is accurately responsive to thespacing of said gaging members independent of the rotary drum; andresponsive tripping means operable from the second gaging member tocause a tripping action with abnormal signature thickness.

13. A signature gathering machine as in claim 12 set forth and whereinthe first gaging member or segment is rotated by means of a connectionfrom the rotating drum to the segment, which latter is loose withrelation. to the segment, the segment having a rotary shaft and bearingoperatively separate from those of the drum; and

' the connection being tight upon the drum.

r 1 wherein said bracket is adjustable swingably toward and from thegage wheel, whereby the leverage may be shifted to set the trip intoneutral position.

16. A signature gathering machine as in claim 14, and whereip thetripping means has primary and secondary trip members, and the secondarytrip member has a rocklever carrying it, and means to rock said leverdown and up to reciprocate said trip member, whereby when the signatureis abnormal the rocklever is blocked; a relay or switch, and aconnection whereby the blocking of the rocklever operates the relay orswitch.

17. A signature gathering machine as in claim 16, and wherein is a mainrocklever constantly oscillated by cam control, the trip rocklever beingmounted on the main rocklever and thereby operative to reciprocate thesecondary trip.

18. A gathering machine as in claim 17 and wherein the blocking of thetrip carrying rocklever arm causes said rocklever to rock on the mainrocklever, whereby the other arm of the trip rocklever receives amultiplied '1 motion for effecting a desired control.

19. A gathering machine as in claim 18 and wherein the control isthrough a snap switch with protruding button and the rocking of the triprocklever presses such button to cause stoppage of machine throughcontrolled circuits.

20. A signature gathering machine having for each machine section asignature extracting and forwarding mechanism which includes a rotatablydriven gripping drum having its drum shaft turning in a drum bearingwhereby to forward each successive signature upon and from the drumtoward a point of discharge upon a traveling conveyor; and incombination therewith, a first gaging member or rotor rotatableinteriorly of the signature path and mounted with a separate rotor shaftturning in a separate rotor bearing, the rotor being in a removed oraxially offset location thereby relatively to clear the drum; a secondor trip-operating gaging member or roller operable in exterioropposition to the first member, and the two members being mutuallycooperative to gage each signature advancing between them; the secondmember being responsively yieldable bodily from and toward the axis ofrotation of the first member as effected by variations in the signaturethicknesses to be gaged; the first gaging member and its shaft andbearing being operatively coaxial with those of the drum but beingmounted operatively separate from the mountings of the drum whereby anyiregularities of drum action are segregated from the first gaging memberand its mountings, thereby to assure precision in the gaging ofsignatures.

21. A signature flat gathering machine having a signature extracting andforwarding rotary drum with a driving shaft and adapted to forward eachsignature upon and from the drum toward a point of flatwise discharge orreception thereof upon a traveling conveyor: and in combinationtherewith a gaging rotor rotatably mounted interiorly of the arcuatesignature path with a rotor shaft mounted and turning separately fromthe drum shaft, the rotor being in a removed location relatively to thedrum; a trip-operating gaging roller operable in exterior opposition tothe rotor, and the two gaging members being mutually cooperative to gageeach signature advancing arcuately between them; the gaging roller beingresponsively yieldable bodily from and toward the axis of rotation ofthe gaging rotor caused by variations in the signature thicknesses to begaged; the gaging rotor and its shaft being operatively coaxial with thedrum and its shaft but being mounted operatively separate from themountings of the drum whereby any irregularities of drum action aresegre gated from the gaging rotor and its mountings.

22. A signature gathering machine having a signature extracting andforwarding means including a rotary drum on a driving shaft and adaptedto forward each signature upon and beyond the drum to a point ofdischarge upon a traveling conveyor; and in combination therewith agaging rotor member mounted coaxially on a shaft interiorly of thesignature path and said rotor and shaft turning separately andindependently from the drum shaft, the rotor being spaced longitudinallyrelativel along the drum axis; and a trip-operating responsivelyyieldable gaging roller member operable in exterior opposition to therotor, and the two gaging members being mutually cooperative to gageeach signature advancing between them; whereby any irregularities ofdrum and shaft action are segregated from the gaging rotor and itsmountings so that an accurate gaging operation is assured.

23. In a signature flat gathering machine a driven extracting drum overthe periphery of which the successive fiat signatures advance towarddischarge; a pair of co operative signature gaging members, interior andexterior, the first being a rotor coaxial with but separate andseparately mounted from the drum, and the second member being ashiftable roller yieldable outwardly from the rotor axis with increaseof signature thickness; and means sepa rate from and independent of thedrum and its mountings for rotating the rotor in synchronism with thedrum rotation and signature advance but without transmission ofirregularity of actions or rotations from the drum or its mountings tothe rotor.

24. In a gathering machine an extracting means comprising a rotor and asignature-advancing rotary drum in combination with a structuralmechanism adapted to rotate said rotor, and a responsive gaging meanscomprising a pair of gaging members other than the drum, the firstmember being a rotor coaxial with the drum but adjacently axially offsettherefrom, whereby the signature may advance upon both the drum and therotor while both are under continuous rotation; the second gaging memberbeing located exterior to the signature path and fitted to yieldoutwardly with excess signature thickness and to operate a control ortrip means.

25. In a gathering machine an extracting means comprising asignature-advancing rotary drum, and a responsive gaging meanscomprising a pair of gaging members other than the drum, the firstmember being a rotor coaxial with the drum but adjacently axially offsettherefrom, whereby the signature may advance upon both the drum and therotor; the second gaging member being a trip-actuating roller shiftablyfitted to ride exteriorly upon the rotor with the signatures travelingbetween said rotor and said roller.

26. In a signature machine an extracting means comprising a relativelyheavy signature forwarding rotary drum, and a responsive gaging meanscomprising a pair of gaging members other than the drum, the firstmember being a relatively light rotor coaxial with the drum butadjacently axially offset therefrom, whereby the signature may advanceupon both the drum and the rotor; the rotor having its own shaft andbearing separate from those of the drum, the second gaging member beinga trip-actuating roller shiftably fitted to ride exteriorly upon therotor with the signatures traveling between said rotor and said roller.

27. In a gathering machine an extracting means comprising asignature-advancing rotary drum, and a responsive gaging meanscomprising a pair of gaging members other than the drum, the said pairconsisting of an interior member and an exterior member, the interiormember being a rotor coaxial with the drum but adjacently offsettherefrom, and having its shaft and bearing separate from those of thedrum, with a loose coupling or link connection between the drum androtor by which the drum may drive the rotor as the rotor operates uponthe exterior gaging member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS893,510 Iuengst July 14, 1900 1,039,541 Kast Sept. 24, 1912 2,166,709Swanson July 18, 1939

